NHS ‘gagging case’ reinforces ‘stronger whistleblowing’ call

NHS ‘gagging' case reinforces ‘stronger whistleblowing’ call

14 February 2013

The case of the NHS boss ‘gagged’ over patient safety concerns reinforces the case for stronger whistleblowing systems being introduced urgently, Unite, the largest union in the country, said today (Thursday 14 February).

Unite head of health Rachael Maskell said: “The chickens are coming home to roost for those that presided over a culture of fear and bullying across the NHS.

“Health secretary Jeremy Hunt needs to set up a system of robust whistleblowing procedures immediately in light of last week’s Francis report and this latest shameful gagging episode. Gagging clauses should be outlawed.”

Unite, which has 100,000 members in the health service, was responding to the background revealed by Gary Walker to his sacking as chief executive of the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust.

Last week, Unite called for the resignation of the NHS chief executive Sir David Nicolson in the light of the Francis report.

Rachael Maskell said: “Today, we call again for Sir David Nicolson, at last, to accept that he has presided over a culture of fear and bullying in the NHS in recent years and that he acknowledges that this regime, which has damaged patient care, has been cruelly exposed. He should resign.”